Church of England ends ban on gay bishops

The Church of England has issued a statement confirming that
gay priests can be appointed bishops, even if they are in civil partnerships,
as long as they are celibate.

âThe House has confirmed that clergy in civil partnerships,
and living in accordance with the teaching of the Church on human sexuality,
can be considered as candidates for the episcopate. There had been a moratorium
on such candidates for the past year and a half while the working party
completed its task,â the statement from Bishop of Norwich Rt Revd Graham James
states.

âThe House believed it would be unjust to exclude from
consideration for the episcopate anyone seeking to live fully in conformity
with the Churchâs teaching on sexual ethics or other areas of personal life and
discipline.

âAll candidates for the episcopate undergo a searching
examination of personal and family circumstances, given the level of public
scrutiny associated with being a bishop in the Church of England. But these,
along with the candidate's suitability for any particular role for which he is
being considered, are for those responsible for the selection process to
consider in each case.â